Symphonic Jazz Orchestra

SJO Family Concert Carpenter Performing Arts Center

pasworks — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:04:36 +0000

DAVE GRUSIN, LEE RITENOUR & FRIENDS PERFORM IN CONCERT WITH THE SJO

pasworks — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:45:37 +0000

“To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra put on a memorable concert with Dave Grusin and
Lee Ritenour… full of surprises and colorful music.”
- Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene

“Grusin was joined by Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, a unique ensemble that melds the worlds
of jazz and the classical concert hall.”
- Tim Grieving, Film Score Monthly

DAVE GRUSIN & FRIENDS

Featured World Premiere Commission by

Lee Ritenour

“Symphonic Captain’s Journey”

on November 9, 2012 at El Camino College Center for the Arts

The 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Co-Music Director Mitch Glickman, was joined by Academy and Grammy Award winning composer, arranger and pianist, Dave Grusin, and a few of his friends for a special 10th Anniversary celebration. Grusin is best known for his film scores to the Fabulous Baker Boys, Havana, On Golden Pond, Milagro Beanfield War, and Heaven Can Wait.

The first half of the concert featured pianist Dave Grusin with an all-star rhythm section of Lee Ritenour on guitar, Tom Kennedy on bass, and Will Kennedy on drums. For the second half, Grusin joined conductor Mitch Glickman and the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra for selections from throughout his illustrious career which included “Porgy & Bess Medley,” “Milagro Beanfield War Suite,” and “Fratelli Chase.” The concert closed with the world premiere of “Symphonic Captain’s Journey” by Grammy Award winning guitarist and composer Lee Ritenour, adapted and arranged by Gordon Goodwin.

Thanks to our Media Sponsors

SJO Drawing Winner Donates Deluxe Yamaha Keyboard to CCHS Music Program

pasworks — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:51:58 +0000

The 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (SJO), the only ensemble of its kind in the country dedicated to the unique American genre of symphonic jazz – music that blends the American language of jazz with European orchestral traditions – held a special free educational family concert last year which featured the premiere of “Dark Wood: Duke Bass Concerto for McBride,” a commissioned piece by Grammy Award winning composer/keyboardist/ producer George Duke, written for and highlighting bass virtuoso Christian McBride’s talents on the acoustic and electric bass.

An opportunity drawing was held at the concert to raise funds for the SJO. Albert Courey, who has two children at Culver City High School who are involved in the music program, was the grand prize winner of a Deluxe Yamaha Keyboard. Courey recently chose to donate his prize to the school’s music program, which includes the Academy of Visual & Performing Arts program. Dr. Tony Spano, the long-time music teacher at Culver City High School and the Creative Director of Music and Co-Director of the CCHS Academy of Visual & Performing Arts was thrilled to accept this prized brand new instrument.

The SJO, led by its Music Directors George Duke and Mitch Glickman, is comprised of Los Angeles’ finest jazz soloists and studio musicians and is the only organization of its kind in the country, dedicated to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music with a mission to: Commission symphonic jazz compositions, a musical genre that blends the American language of jazz with European orchestral traditions; Perform commissioned works in concerts throughout Southern California; and Inspire the next generation of listeners through its Community Outreach Program and specially designed free Family and Educational Concerts.

Coincidentally, as part of the California Arts Council’s “Artists-in-Schools” program, the SJO (based in Culver City) offers a music program for second-grade students that has grown to include a weekly residency program for first-grade students and an Instrumental Workshop program for third-grade students that has been active at CCUSD elementary schools for the last five years.

The SJO has performed across Southern California at such venues as Royce Hall and the Ford Amphitheatre. Through its Community Outreach Program, the orchestra has served over 27,000 young people and their families with special family and educational concerts, master classes, workshops and assemblies.

Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Featuring Christian McBride

pasworks — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:40:09 +0000

By Paula Edelstein

According to Mitch Glickman, Co-Music Director and Conductor of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, the idea for George Duke to compose Dark Wood: Duke Bass Concerto for McBride originated circa 1999. The work was commissioned by the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra and made possible in part by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation and the SJO Benefactor’s Circle whose members include Anne Finestone & Charles Dolan, Jinko Gotoh, Quincy Jones and Harold Levy. Duke responded with a two movement work for solo bass (acoustic and electric), violins, violas, bass, harp, drums, percussion, French horn, woodwinds, trumpet, and trombone.

The official completion date of the score is not known although some changes of detail continued to arrive for two or three weeks after that and a few were made during the days preceding the World Premiere at UCLA’s Royce Hall Los Angeles, California on September 24, 2011. Unfortunately the composer (who is also a Co-Music Director of SJO) was not in attendance but the inspiration for the work, master bassist/composer Christian McBride, was the featured solo bassist with the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra. Mitch Glickman conducted.

At the World Premiere, the skill and sensibility of composer George Duke were on full display. In true concerto form, he convinced his listeners by giving the orchestra the introduction and statement of the material and then brought in the true feelings of the solo bass voice with a counter-statement. This arrangement brought out the force of McBride’s solo by thrusting the orchestra into the background while at the same time the audience still realized that the orchestra has had its say and was not just employed to support the soloist. The ritornelli (return of orchestral music after solos) were both successful and effective at the end of McBride’s personal and eloquent solos in the first movement.

The lyric and expressive gifts of Christian McBride that have singled him out among his jazz colleagues were cheered with a standing ovation. These components of McBride’s artistic personality were particularly remarkable in the emotionally poignant second movement. The sustained resonance of his acoustic and electric basses as well as his adept dexterity and voicings captivated the audience.

Overall, bringing McBride’s solos into fresh relationships with the 67-piece orchestra provided powerful harmonic lifts and a deeply calming coda. Together they provided room-filling sonorities that were both energetic and relaxing. Glickman, who conducted without a score, had a profoundly coherent command of the work and at its conclusion embraced McBride and exchanged celebratory handshakes with him and the concertmaster, Ralph Morrison.

Prior to the performance of Dark Wood: Duke Bass Concerto for McBride, Mitch Glickman led tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb and drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith in Charles Floyd’s Elements. This piece was followed by an audience participation aspect of the matinee. Glickman explained that mixing certain genres of music together can be likened to foods mixed together and then suggested that classical or symphonic music (chocolate) when mixed with jazz (peanut butter) would result in a Symphonic Jazz Recipe. Arranged by Glickman, this four-part program included Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Girl From Ipanema,” Henry Mancini’s “Theme From Peter Gunn” and Joe Garland’s “In The Mood” (made famous by Glenn Miller) and allowed the audience to identify which portions of the music were classical (chocolate) and/or which portions of the music were jazz (peanut butter).

The afternoon was a free family concert presented by UCLA’s Design for Sharing with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about upcoming concerts, please visit http://www.uclalive.org, http://www.symphonicjazzorchestra.org, and http://www.uclalive.org/community/design.

Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Featuring Christian McBride

pasworks — Tue, 17 May 2011 04:39:38 +0000

The 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Co-Music Director Mitch Glickman, will be joined by bass player extraordinaire Christian McBride for this special free family concert. The program features the world premiere of a newly commissioned work composed by SJO Co-Music Director George Duke for McBride and the orchestra, along with other specially commissioned works. This special concert is presented by UCLA’s Design for Sharing with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

TICKETS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE – WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY – THANK YOU!

For more information please email us at info@sjomusic.org or by call 310.876.8130.

SJO Receives Proclamation from California State Senate

pasworks — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:35:55 +0000

The California State Senate presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mitch Glickman in honor of the SJO’s generosity and support to the Culver City Education Foundation (CCEF) and La Ballona Elementary School. Congratulations on being honored as Business Partner of the Year at this year’s Culver City Education Foundation Benefactors Breakfast.

SJO Awarded Prestigious NEA Grant

pasworks — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:32:20 +0000

The National Endowment for the Arts has just announced that the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra was awarded one of only 1,057 arts grants this funding cycle. We are honored by this award – a $10,000 matching grant that will support the orchestra’s concert program for next year.

SJO expands Music in the Schools program

pasworks — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:37:29 +0000

As part of the California Arts Council’s “Artists-in-Schools” program, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra began a yearlong pilot music program for 2nd grade students in the Fall of 2007 that has grown to include a weekly residency program for 1st grade students and an Instrumental Workshop program for 3rd Grade students. For 20010/11, over 1,300 students are receiving sequential, comprehensive music education taught by members of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra. The program, funded by a seed grant from the California Arts Council, provides for weekly music classes for five public schools in the Culver City Unified School District.

SJO projects in 2011 include a pilot kindergarten program, 1st and 2nd grade residency, and 3rd grade instrumental workshops.

1) Our Artists-in-Schools program (aka “Bach to Bebop”) is designed for 2nd – 4th grade students. The 28-week program takes students through the families of the orchestra, major classical composers, blues & composition, and jazz & improvisation. This program culminates in a assembly where the participating students perform with members of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra for the whole school.

2) Our Bell Program is designed for 1st – 3rd grade students. The 14 or 28-week residency teaches the fundamentals of music (rhythm and notation) leading to the students playing small bells (glockenspiel).

3) Other programs include Instrumental Music Workshops for 3rd – 5th graders featuring string, brass, woodwind and percussion ensembles from the SJO performing – and then having the students try the instruments. The SJO is also piloting a new Kindergarten program introducing students to music theory, note reading and solfege.

The Artists-in-Schools program and Bell program are eligible for County funding for Arts for All school districts. Please visit the County’s website for additional information: www.LACountyArtsforAll.org

The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is the only ensemble of its kind in the country, bringing together the worlds of jazz and classical music. The 67-member professional ensemble has performed across Southern California at such venues as Royce Hall and the Ford Amphitheatre. Through its Community Outreach Program, the orchestra has served over 13,000 young people and their families with special family and educational concerts, master classes, workshops and assemblies.

The SJO’s 1st and 2nd Grade Music Residencies are approved by the L.A. County Arts Commission, which makes them eligible for matching funds from the County.

For detailed program information, please visit:

2nd Grade Music Residency

1st Grade Music Residency

What Teachers and Principals are Saying…

“The residency was all so well planned and organized. The students all know the different instruments, different styles of music, and learned that they too can compose songs. Thanks for a marvelous program.”
D. Arancibia, La Ballona Elementary

“Having the students compose their own blues songs really gave them the opportunity to apply everything they have learned throught the year. An amazing experience!”
D. Nissim, Linwood Howe Elementary

“The residency is well paced with students mastering note values and patterning, as well as tieing into science and math. My students always look forward to their weekly music classes.”
L. Harter, Farragut Elementary

“It was so meaningful to have the SJO musicians perform for our students. The students now know the sounds that go with the instruments and how each instrument works.”
P. Sires, El Rincon Elementary

“As principal, I have had the joy of seeing the program unfold and know how invaluable this program is to our students. The residency ensures that music education and enjoyment will become an important and vital part of these children’s lives now and in the future.”
B. Brown, Farragut Elementary Principal

“We are so fortunate to have the SJO’s Artists-in-Schools program. Beyond the pure joy that the performances bring, and the music lessons that also cover history and science, we now see that the music instruction builds success in mathematics. How can you get better than that?”
R. LaBriola, Linwood Howe Principal

SJO Community Outreach Partners

UCLA’s Design for Sharing (Los Angeles)
Ford Amphitheatre (Hollywood)
Latino Arts Initiative (Los Angeles)
The World Stage (Leimert Park)
Harmony Project (Hollywood)
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse (San Gabriel)
Guadalupe Youth Center (San Fernando Valley)
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
El Marino Elementary (Culver City)
Farragut Elementary (Culver City)
Gabriella Elementary (Los Angeles)
Garfield Elementary (Alhambra)
Hamilton High School (Los Angeles)
La Ballona Elementary (Culver City)
Linwood Howe Elementary (Culver City)
San Jose Elementary (Mission Hills)
Sierra Vista Elementary (East L.A.)
California State Summer School for the Arts (CalArts)

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pasworks — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:24:37 +0000

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Symphonic Jazz Orchestra performs in East L.A.

pasworks — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:18:49 +0000

With a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra performed a special concert for students from the East Los Angeles community on Wed. May 27. 2009 at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. In the weeks leading up to the concert, members of the SJO presented a series of assemblies and outreach programs at Sierra Vista Elementary, John Muir Middle School, Guadalupe Youth Center, and The World Stage.

The concert opened with soloist Justo Almario serenading the surprised audience from the back of the theater, as he made his way to the stage performing Mitch Glickman’s “Kaleidoscope Shuffle.” The students learned about the art of improvisation as saxophone soloist Gene Cipriano performed two movements from “Focus,” a work originally written for Stan Getz by composer Eddie Sauter. Cipriano was also featured in a movement from Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” The concert closed with a work commissioned by the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra by composer Tom Scott entitled “Bossa, Ballad & Kinda Blues.”

The SJO’s free concert marked the first time most of the student audience had attended a live orchestral concert. And as the only ensemble of its kind in the country, the orchestra showed how the worlds of jazz and classical music can mix into a unique musical genre. The response to the concert was so overwhelming by the overflow audience that the orchestra reprised the opening piece as an encore.

The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s free concert was sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; Film Funds Trust Fund, John C. Hall, trustee: Los Angeles County Arts Commission; Knossos Foundation; Herb Alpert Foundation; Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation; and the City of San Gabriel.